Festival of Fools unveils a dazzling array of International and local artists to fill Belfast City with laughter, silliness, and the tallest Unicycle in Ireland!

Stroll up, stroll up or unicycle up…….Belfast’s beloved Festival of Fools is back and bigger than ever. From Saturday 2 to Monday 4 May 2026, the city’s streets, squares and hidden corners will be transformed into an open-air stage for the world’s finest circus artists, street performers and comedy acts, all completely free to attend over the Bank Holiday weekend.

Now in its 21st year, the Festival of Fools has firmly established itself as Northern Ireland’s largest festival of free-to-access circus and outdoor performance.
This year’s edition brings performers from across the globe — from Finland to Catalonia, Italy to Peru — alongside the very best of Ireland’s homegrown circus talent, for over 50 performances across 3 days.

Fifteen acts will fill the streets over the May Bank Holiday weekend with free performances daily from Saturday 2 to Monday 4 May. Shows take place across beloved city centre sites including 2 Royal Avenue, St Anne’s Square, Writers Square, Riddel’s Warehouse, The MAC and Belfast Circus, as well as exciting new collaborations with Grand Central Station and Ulster University.

Flora Herberich, Senior Producer at Festival of Fools said; “We are absolutely thrilled to be bringing Festival of Fools back to Belfast for 2026. Every year we ask ourselves: how do we top this? And every year the artists, the city and the sheer joy of the crowds give us the answer. Belfast is the perfect home for this festival — its streets come alive in a way that is unlike anywhere else. Whether you’re 3 or 93, a seasoned circus fan or someone who’s never seen a juggler in their life, there is something here that will make you stop, stare and grin from ear to ear. With over 50 performances, all free, across three wonderful days, there is literally no excuse to miss it.”

“This year’s programme is a love letter to the absurd, the skilful and the sublime. Acts span walkabout street theatre, aerial acrobatics, spoken word, partner acrobatics, interactive games, dance and clowning — united by a spirit of joy, community and the kind of craic that only Belfast can produce. As ever, none of this could be even imagined without the immense support of our funders who share our vision and sense of humour, we are indebted to Arts Council NI, Belfast City Council and local BIDs, without whom this spectacular celebration of circus and street performance would not be possible, Flora added.

Commenting on the partnership, Communications & Events Manager at LQ BID, Stevie Maginn, said, “We are pleased to support Festivals of Fools to extend into the Linen Quarter for the first time this year. As well as enhancing the main festival programme, we’ve been able to prolongs its vibrant contribution beyond the main festival weekend, with additional performances on Saturday 18 and Saturday 25 April which will be some of the first events to be held at Saltwater Square, Belfast City Centre’s newest public space adjacent to Belfast Grand Central Station. “Festival of Fools is a much-loved and well-recognised part of our city’s cultural offering over 20 years. We’re proud that the business community, through LQ BID, can become a vehicle for its expansion for the enjoyment of visitors and workers but also increasing access to the arts for inner city communities living surrounding the station.”